These Swedes are quickly becoming one of the more prolific acts in the epic doom metal genre. 2008 not only saw the release of Bliss of Solitude, but Bryntse and Olsson’s epic doom take on Viking-themed metal, Ereb Altor, as well. In all honesty, I just recently got around to fully digesting those two releases, so my initial reaction when this record first hit the doorstep was something along the lines of “Already? Are you shittin’ me?” But I suppose the boys simply shoulder more than their fair share of grief, because Silent Ruins features nearly an hour’s worth of new sorrow-stricken lovelies, and as good as Bliss of Solitude was, this record is stronger.
Ultimately, there’s not much that’s changed with the Isole formula since last year. The band still travels a path shared by epic doom acts such as Solitude Aeturnus and Candlemass, and they still dash in a hefty shake of “gloom metal” ala Daylight Dies/early 90’s era Paradise Lost as well. But this year’s affair ups the catchiness ante in the chorus’ and riffing, and a wider net is also cast due to the added variation in more of the songs.
Silent Ruins is meticulously crafted, and the transitions between songs and changes in pace have a fluidity that’s nearly unmatched by their peers. Light, somber acoustic guitars pepper “Soulscarred” and the catchy “Hollow Shrine,” and Isole‘s choice to let their guitar solos simply rip instead of being only weepy helps to further separate them from the rest of the pack in this suddenly thriving sub-genre.
Highlights abound, but the fantastic “Nightfall” stands as one of the better epic doom tunes of the last few years. Its (relatively) brisk pace and higher vocal range from the gate give it a swelling, majestic feel that’s offset perfectly by the somber chorus and the funereal manner in which the song ends. And speaking of “funereal,” it’s also quite pleasing to hear the band explore a straight-up guttural funeral doom measure toward the conclusion of “Dark Clouds.”
The record also boasts yet another warm, robust production that’s conducive to high quality headphone use, or blasting through a big set of speakers. It certainly does a wonderful job of illuminating the band’s signature “monks chanting in a cathedral” layered vocal style, which, once again, is key in setting the overall somber tone. The clean mix also helps to spotlight the fine drum work of Jonas Lindstrom, an element that’s often overlooked when it comes to metal that’s not focused on speeding 100mph from start to finish.
Buddha’s first Noble Truth: “All life is sorrowful.” — that’s something these guys have apparently become quite comfortable with. But instead of pursuing the remaining three truths intended to help dismiss grief, Isole choose to assuage misery by providing listeners with a healthy dose of majesty to help clear the clouds. The results, whether you consider them to be here too soon or not, are stunning. Count Silent Ruins as yet another triumph in this band’s quickly growing catalog.
Seek and enjoy, gloomily.
